Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Denver Urban Waterways Restoration Study, South Platte River and Tributaries, Denver County, CO, 1177-1178 [2016-204]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 6 / Monday, January 11, 2016 / Notices This meeting will be held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102–3.150. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of Meetings During the open meeting on Thursday, January 28, 2016, the Commission will publicly release their final report. Agendas January 28, 2016—Open Meeting: The Commission will hold an open meeting to provide comments and announce the release of the Commission’s final report. Meeting Accessibility mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Additional Information The DoD sponsor for the Commission is the Deputy Chief Management Officer. The Commission is tasked to submit a report, containing a comprehensive study and recommendations, by February 1, 2016 to the President of the United States and the Congressional defense committees. The report will contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions it may consider appropriate in light of the results of the study. The comprehensive study of the structure of the Army will determine whether, and how, the structure should be modified to best fulfill current and anticipated mission requirements for the Army in a manner consistent with available resources. 18:17 Jan 08, 2016 AGENCY: USACE is issuing this notice pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. Public Meetings: Public scoping meetings for the various study reaches will be held from 5:30–7:30 p.m. MDT at the following locations: • Harvard Gulch: Wednesday, January 13, 2016—Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 East Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80210. • South Platte River: Wednesday, January 20, 2016—REI, 1416 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202. • Weir Gulch: Tuesday, February 2, 2016—Barnum Recreation Center, 360 Hooker Street, Denver, CO 80219. Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, intends to prepare a feasibility study with integrated environmental impact statement (EIS) that analyzes and discloses effects associated with actions to provide ecosystem restoration along the South Platte River and flood risk management actions along two South Platte River tributaries (Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch). DATES: Submit written comments on the scope of the issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIS on or before February 19, 2016. ADDRESSES: Send written scoping comments, requests to be added to the mailing list, or requests for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired or other special assistance needs to Ms. Tiffany Vanosdall by telephone: (402) 995–2695, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102–4901, or by email: tiffany.k.vanosdall@usace.army.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or questions about the proposed feasibility study with integrated EIS, please contact Mr. Luke Wallace by telephone: (402) 995– 2692, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102–4901, or by email: a.luke.wallace@usace.army.mil. For inquiries from the media, please contact the USACE Omaha District Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Tom O’Hara by telephone: (402) 995–2416, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102–4901, or by email: thomas.a.ohara@usace.army.mil. Background Information The Unified City and County of Denver and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District (Corps) are conducting a feasibility study for ecosystem restoration along the South Platte River and flood risk management along two of its tributaries, Weir Gulch and Harvard Gulch, in the City and County of Denver. The ecosystem portion of the study will optimize federally significant resources including habitat for migratory birds, wetlands and riparian habitat, and aquatic resources of the South Platte River and its tributaries. The geographic scope of the study area includes the South Platte River from 6th Avenue to 58th Avenue, Weir Gulch from Sheridan Boulevard east to the confluence with the South Platte River, and Harvard Gulch from Colorado Boulevard west to the confluence with the South Platte River. The purpose of the project along the South Platte River is to address loss of riparian, wetland and in-channel habitat associated with urban development. There is a need to provide a functioning habitat corridor through Denver for migratory birds, as well as wetland and aquatic species. The purpose of the project along the Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch tributaries to the South Platte River is to address flood risk issues in order to reduce flood and life safety risks along each stream. Urban development within the floodplain in both gulches consists of approximately 1,180 structures and an associated 9,150 people at risk of flooding. The report will be a final response to the study authority. The City and County of Denver covers approximately 153 square miles which is only 0.15 percent of the State’s area, but is densely populated with approximately 12 percent of the State’s population; the total metropolitan area population (2.4 million) is [FR Doc. 2016–230 Filed 1–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Denver Urban Waterways Restoration Study, South Platte River and Tributaries, Denver County, CO Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. SUMMARY: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102–3.165 and the availability of space, the meeting scheduled for January 28, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hall of States is open to the public. Seating is limited and preregistration is strongly encouraged. Media representatives are also encouraged to register. Members of the media must comply with the rules of photography and video filming published by the State Services Organization and George Washington University. The closest public parking facility is on the property, for an hourly fee. The Union Station metro is a twoblock walk. Visitors should keep their belongings with them at all times. VerDate Sep<11>2014 Dated: January 5, 2016. Aaron Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. Jkt 238001 1177 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\11JAN1.SGM 11JAN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1178 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 6 / Monday, January 11, 2016 / Notices approximately 50 percent of the State’s population. Population growth has been rapid. Denver County lies approximately 10 miles east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. This heavily influences the County’s weather. Denver has a semi-arid climate with all four seasons discernible. Average annual precipitation is 16 inches. The natural land cover is primarily short-grass prairie and semi-desert. For approximately 10 river miles the South Platte River flows north through Denver. Its tributaries in Denver include Cherry Creek, smaller Bear Creek, and still smaller Weir Gulch, Lakewood Gulch, Sanderson Gulch, Harvard Gulch, and West Harvard Gulch. The Harvard Gulch watershed is an east bank tributary to the South Platte River located in southeast Denver. The 7.43-square mile drainage basin is 72.5 percent within the City and County of Denver and 27.5 percent in Arapahoe County. The major drainage way has a perennial base flow and follows a path along Harvard Avenue until reaching Logan Street where it is conveyed underground in Wesley Avenue to the outfall at the South Platte River. The Weir Gulch watershed is a west bank tributary to the South Platte River in Denver and has a drainage area of approximately 7.7 square miles at the confluence with the South Platte River. As required by CEQ’s implementing regulations, all reasonable alternatives to the proposed Federal action that meet the purpose and need will be considered in the EIS. These alternatives will include no action and a range of reasonable alternatives for improving the South Platte ecosystem and reducing flood risk on Harvard and Weir Gulch. Appropriate mitigation measures will be incorporated into the proposed action and reasonable alternatives. The EIS will analyze and disclose environmental impacts associated with the proposed Federal action and alternatives together with engineering, operations and maintenance, social, and economic considerations. The public is invited and encouraged to identify issues and effects they believe should be addressed in the EIS and reasonable alternatives for ecosystem restoration along the South Platte River and flood risk management along Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch. Public Disclosure Statement The Corps believes it is important to inform the public of the environmental review process. To assist the Corps in identifying and considering issues related to the proposed Federal action, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Jan 08, 2016 Jkt 238001 comments made during formal scoping and later on the draft EIS should be as specific as possible. Reviewers must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts the Corps to the reviewers’ position and contentions. It is very important that those interested in this proposed Federal action participate by the close of the scoping period so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Corps at a time when they can meaningfully consider and respond to them. If you wish to comment, you can mail or email your comments as indicated under the Addresses section. Before including your name, address, phone number, email address, or any other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment including your personal identifying information may be made available to the public at any time. While you can request in your comment for us to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2016–204 Filed 1–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket No. ED–2015–ICCD–0127] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program: Annual Performance Report Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Department of Education (ED). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing a revision of an existing information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before February 10, 2016. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use https://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED– 2015–ICCD–0127. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Director of the Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room 2E115, Washington, DC 20202–4537. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Inas El-Sabban, 202–205–3810. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program: Annual Performance Report. OMB Control Number: 1810–0669. Type of Review: A revision of an existing information collection. Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local and Tribal Government. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 450. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 4,500. Abstract: The Mathematics and Science Partnerships program is a E:\FR\FM\11JAN1.SGM 11JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1177-1178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-204]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Denver Urban Waterways Restoration Study, South Platte River and 
Tributaries, Denver County, CO

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Council on Environmental 
Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions 
of NEPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, 
intends to prepare a feasibility study with integrated environmental 
impact statement (EIS) that analyzes and discloses effects associated 
with actions to provide ecosystem restoration along the South Platte 
River and flood risk management actions along two South Platte River 
tributaries (Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch).

DATES: Submit written comments on the scope of the issues and 
alternatives to be considered in the EIS on or before February 19, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written scoping comments, requests to be added to the 
mailing list, or requests for sign language interpretation for the 
hearing impaired or other special assistance needs to Ms. Tiffany 
Vanosdall by telephone: (402) 995-2695, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, 
Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or by email: tiffany.k.vanosdall@usace.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or 
questions about the proposed feasibility study with integrated EIS, 
please contact Mr. Luke Wallace by telephone: (402) 995-2692, by mail: 
1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or by email: 
a.luke.wallace@usace.army.mil. For inquiries from the media, please 
contact the USACE Omaha District Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Tom O'Hara 
by telephone: (402) 995-2416, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 
68102-4901, or by email: thomas.a.ohara@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USACE is issuing this notice pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.
    Public Meetings: Public scoping meetings for the various study 
reaches will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. MDT at the following 
locations:
     Harvard Gulch: Wednesday, January 13, 2016--Harvard Gulch 
Recreation Center, 550 East Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80210.
     South Platte River: Wednesday, January 20, 2016--REI, 1416 
Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202.
     Weir Gulch: Tuesday, February 2, 2016--Barnum Recreation 
Center, 360 Hooker Street, Denver, CO 80219.

Background Information

    The Unified City and County of Denver and the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Omaha District (Corps) are conducting a feasibility study 
for ecosystem restoration along the South Platte River and flood risk 
management along two of its tributaries, Weir Gulch and Harvard Gulch, 
in the City and County of Denver. The ecosystem portion of the study 
will optimize federally significant resources including habitat for 
migratory birds, wetlands and riparian habitat, and aquatic resources 
of the South Platte River and its tributaries. The geographic scope of 
the study area includes the South Platte River from 6th Avenue to 58th 
Avenue, Weir Gulch from Sheridan Boulevard east to the confluence with 
the South Platte River, and Harvard Gulch from Colorado Boulevard west 
to the confluence with the South Platte River.
    The purpose of the project along the South Platte River is to 
address loss of riparian, wetland and in-channel habitat associated 
with urban development. There is a need to provide a functioning 
habitat corridor through Denver for migratory birds, as well as wetland 
and aquatic species. The purpose of the project along the Harvard Gulch 
and Weir Gulch tributaries to the South Platte River is to address 
flood risk issues in order to reduce flood and life safety risks along 
each stream. Urban development within the floodplain in both gulches 
consists of approximately 1,180 structures and an associated 9,150 
people at risk of flooding. The report will be a final response to the 
study authority.
    The City and County of Denver covers approximately 153 square miles 
which is only 0.15 percent of the State's area, but is densely 
populated with approximately 12 percent of the State's population; the 
total metropolitan area population (2.4 million) is

[[Page 1178]]

approximately 50 percent of the State's population. Population growth 
has been rapid.
    Denver County lies approximately 10 miles east of the Front Range 
of the Rocky Mountains. This heavily influences the County's weather. 
Denver has a semi-arid climate with all four seasons discernible. 
Average annual precipitation is 16 inches. The natural land cover is 
primarily short-grass prairie and semi-desert.
    For approximately 10 river miles the South Platte River flows north 
through Denver. Its tributaries in Denver include Cherry Creek, smaller 
Bear Creek, and still smaller Weir Gulch, Lakewood Gulch, Sanderson 
Gulch, Harvard Gulch, and West Harvard Gulch.
    The Harvard Gulch watershed is an east bank tributary to the South 
Platte River located in southeast Denver. The 7.43-square mile drainage 
basin is 72.5 percent within the City and County of Denver and 27.5 
percent in Arapahoe County. The major drainage way has a perennial base 
flow and follows a path along Harvard Avenue until reaching Logan 
Street where it is conveyed underground in Wesley Avenue to the outfall 
at the South Platte River.
    The Weir Gulch watershed is a west bank tributary to the South 
Platte River in Denver and has a drainage area of approximately 7.7 
square miles at the confluence with the South Platte River.
    As required by CEQ's implementing regulations, all reasonable 
alternatives to the proposed Federal action that meet the purpose and 
need will be considered in the EIS. These alternatives will include no 
action and a range of reasonable alternatives for improving the South 
Platte ecosystem and reducing flood risk on Harvard and Weir Gulch. 
Appropriate mitigation measures will be incorporated into the proposed 
action and reasonable alternatives. The EIS will analyze and disclose 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed Federal action and 
alternatives together with engineering, operations and maintenance, 
social, and economic considerations. The public is invited and 
encouraged to identify issues and effects they believe should be 
addressed in the EIS and reasonable alternatives for ecosystem 
restoration along the South Platte River and flood risk management 
along Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch.

Public Disclosure Statement

    The Corps believes it is important to inform the public of the 
environmental review process. To assist the Corps in identifying and 
considering issues related to the proposed Federal action, comments 
made during formal scoping and later on the draft EIS should be as 
specific as possible. Reviewers must structure their participation in 
the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and 
alerts the Corps to the reviewers' position and contentions. It is very 
important that those interested in this proposed Federal action 
participate by the close of the scoping period so that substantive 
comments and objections are made available to the Corps at a time when 
they can meaningfully consider and respond to them.
    If you wish to comment, you can mail or email your comments as 
indicated under the Addresses section. Before including your name, 
address, phone number, email address, or any other personal identifying 
information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire 
comment including your personal identifying information may be made 
available to the public at any time.
    While you can request in your comment for us to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-204 Filed 1-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

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